Judge Frank Caprio, whose warmth, empathy, and lighthearted wisdom earned him global recognition—from a local municipal court to millions of screens—passed away on August 20, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 88.
Born and raised in the Italian-American neighborhood of Federal Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, Caprio was the second of three sons in a family guided by hard work and compassion. He attended Providence’s public schools, where he was an honors student and wrestler, later graduating from Providence College in 1958. While teaching American government at Hope High School, he pursued evening law classes at Suffolk University—and earned his J.D. in 1965.
At just 25, Caprio was elected to the Providence City Council (1962–1968), displaying a lifelong commitment to public service. In 1985, he became Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court, a position he held until his retirement in 2023.
However, what truly made him a household name was Caught in Providence, the television series featuring his rulings on minor infractions. The show began on local access television in the 1990s and, after going viral, garnered national syndication in 2018. Caprio’s courtroom, where he often dismissed tickets for those in hardship and greeted struggling individuals with a smile, became a global symbol of justice tempered with kindness. He was celebrated for showing, in one memorable case, compassion to a college student with a parking ticket and even arranging softer consequences for a pizza deliveryman—small gestures that reverberated online.
Caprio’s philosophy—that “justice can be fair and kind”—struck a chord with millions of viewers. His social media channels amassed huge followings, and his courtroom moments accumulated billions of views. Governors, veterans, students, and families across the nation found inspiration in his words and deeds.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” and ordered flags to fly at half-staff in his honor.
He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce, their five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His family, colleagues, and countless fans around the world mourn the loss of a just, humane—and, above all, kind—public servant.
Judge Frank Caprio reminded us that the law need not be cold and unfeeling. Through his humble demeanor and unfairly sweet rulings, he taught that empathy and compassion are not weaknesses but powerful expressions of justice. May his memory inspire us all to leave the ladder down so others may follow.
FI/AI
